Remember the old Flinstones cartoons where Fred and Barney could make their cars go faster by peddling their feet on the ground under the car? One North Carolina-based company is putting its own spin on that concept. All for the sake of the environment, of course.

Organic Transit is selling what it calls the ELF, which stands for Electric, Light Fun and is a three-wheeled 150-pound vehicle (technically classified as a bike) that can be powered by electric power, solar power or pedal power. The vehicle, which can carry as much as 350 pounds, has a 14-mile single-charge range and a top speed of 20 miles per hour, though tack on another 10 mph with the pedal-power option. The trike also has disc brakes, fiber-carbon body panels and a 60-watt photovoltaic solar panel that allows the vehicle to by fully recharged under seven hours of sunlight. For those who can't wait that long, three hours plugged into an electrical socket will also do the trick.

Word got out about the Elf late last year but Organic Transit has disclosed more details about the vehicle since then and is pricing it at a base price of $5,495. Of course, you could buy it through Hammacher Schlemmer and pay $9,900. Check out Organic Transit's website here and the video below, courtesy of the Raleigh News & Observer.

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This looks very interesting to me.. But I'm not sure where I'd be able to ride it. (or do you drive this? Which verb do you use, ride of drive?) Anyway, if I drove it on any of the streets in my area, I'd be creating a traffic jam and pissing people off. If I drove it on the sidewalk, that'd probably be illegal even though nobody in my area actually walks on the sidewalks. They'd rather drive even if it is just a 5 minute walk. God forbid burning a few calories. And motorized vehicles are off limits on all of the paved park trails in the area. So I see limited use for this.

Ok it can hold some stuff did not see that. Ok it has lights and mirrors. If someone is dumb enough to pay $5500 for something and not have insurance than you are dumb enough to buy one. Yes where I live you can have Golf carts on city streets and you must pay a registration fee of $5 per year and yes you must also have insurance on them. I doo not workfor anyone that has anything to do with this crap. I mearly see things as an average Joe.

fairfireman21, you are being a complete tool because all you can do is bad mouth this with disinformation, so I am going to set the record straight right here since I did read the specs! 1. YES, it has full lights, horn and mirrors. 2. YES, it does have room for groceries, up to 6 bags can go in the rear cargo area, its a hatchback. Plus more can go on side plates, on top of rear hatch door and on top of front dash (if equiped). 3. NO, in most state including mine, Oregon, you do NOT need any insurance, registration, its considered the same as bicycle. 4. NO, you cannot drive a golf cart on city streets, they are only good for golf courses and things like gated communities, I don't know about you but I live in the real world, inner city. 5. NO, rain does not come flying up from the wheels, it has built in fenders and a rain shedding body design. 6. YES, you can buy a golf cart cheaper, you can also buy a gold cart for over $7,000, you can also buy a bike cheaper, apples to oranges, so mute point. I smell a troll, who do you work for?

Pretty cool. I think the catch for these types of vehicles tends to be that the cost for a short commute is low anyway, so paying even $5500 for an added vehicle would not make up the fuel savings. And of course for a longer commute the commute time might take too long. Nonetheless I love the concept and would consider one if I had the extra money.

Roanhouse, I don't know that this is comparable to the Elio trike. For one thing, you can buy this thing today, and the chances of Elio getting to production are not good. The second thing is that Elio is a car replacement, with AC, heat & air bags while this is more of a covered assisted bicycle. Admittedly, the difference between Elio and Elf are kind of blurred. And the odds of the Elio actually being sold for $6800 are kind of slim, if it does get produced I would bet that it is closer to $10k, not $7k. That is just my 2 cents, though. My one beef with the Elf is the price. You can get a pretty good electric assisted bike for $550 on Amazon, and you can 20 mph for around 20 miles with it. This one may get you there a little quicker and keep most of the rain off you, but it will cost you 10 times as much. That is a little steep.

Spec, You are right. But the one thing people are forgetting is a floor. When the rain starts to drop where is it going while using this thing? Right up inside from the tires. This thing is only for the perfect weather which a plane bike will do for.

I would agree on that, Spec. And I really hope they actually get to the point where they can sell them. It would be a cool option for a lot of people. I just doubt they will be able to get to that point.

This really isn't hipster like at all. Don't judge a book by the cover! This little ride is very much the opposite of hipster, this an alternative to gas belching cars for many peoples short trips to the grocery store or school or library. This isn't expensive when you compare it to other velomobiles, which don't have solar, don't have electric motors with lifepo batteries, don't have ride height same as car, don't have full lights, etc, you'll see that they are a similar price point without all these safety and convienances! This is a great vehicle that fills the space between a bike and a car. But unlike a bike, it has protection, hauling and unlike a car it has zero emmisions and a very low cost of ownership. No insurance, no registration and no gas!

Michael, How is this thing going to help you go to the store, library, or even school? There is no place to put anything. If $5000 is not expensive to you then you make too much. For $5K I could buy a 4 seat golf cart with all weather canopy and still have change left over, plus I could use it no matter what the weather not like this thing just in good weather. With no lights and the such it is worthless once dusk turns. How does it fill the gap between bike and car? No cargo room, no lights, one person, and over priced with low mileage. 17 mile range? A 36 Volt golf cart can have lights protection from weather and more range 2-3 fold over. This thing is nothing more than a rich mans brag toy. As far as no insurance you are wrong, and as far as no registration you are 85-95% wrong on that too, (to drive them in my city they must be registered $5 per year). No gas you are right but an electric golf cart that can hold 2 to 4 people and still have room to carry stuff, with more range for a cheaper price still is gas free.

It would get me to work and back but then it would be useless till the next day, atleast till the batts got used some. It is a fact the more the batts get usedthe less they can be used. For $5000 I could drive over 20,000 miles with something that only gets 14 MPG right now I am more than double that and in all seasons, rain, snow, fog, sleet, cold, or hot.